10.
The celestial signs. Luke 21:25-28.
11.
The signs in the church. 1 Tim. 4:1.
12.
The gospel to all the world.
Matt. 24:14.
Key Words:
1.
Coming.
The early Christians used a
word,
parousia,
as a term to denote their
Master's return. It was contrasted with an-
other word rendered "absence." Technically,
parousia
meant the presence of someone
standing by.
"In bodily form, He is now absent in
heaven: on that day [the
parousia]
He will
be visibly present on earth."—J. Agar Beet,
Manual of Theology,
page 458.
2.
Fables.
In 1 Timothy 1:4, as in other
scriptures, reference is made to fables, which
can refer to any oral sayings handed down
from the past. There was a large body of
rabbinical fables.
"It was said in the Jewish schools that an
oral law had been given on Sinai, and that
this law, a succession of teachers, from the
time of Moses, had handed down. This 'law
that is upon the lip,' as it was termed, was
further illustrated and enlarged by the say-
ings and comments of the more famous
Jewish rabbis, and in the time of our Lord
constituted a supplement to the written law
in the Pentateuch. For centuries this supple-
mentary code was preserved by memory or
in secret rolls, and doubtless was constantly
receiving additions. It contained, along with
many wild and improbable legendary his-
tories, some wise teachings. This strange
collection of tradition and comment was
committed to writing in the second century
by Rabbi Jehuda, under the general name
of the Mishna, or repetition (of the law)."
—Ellicott,
Commentary,
on 1 Timothy 1:4.
There were many other oral traditions,
which often served to becloud the truths
taught by Jesus. See Matthew 15:3.
THE LESSON
The Certainty of His Coming
1.
What promise did Jesus make
regarding His return? John 14:1-3.
NorE.—The words "I will come again"
were spoken at a time when the hearts of
God's children were troubled. That is why
the Lord began by saying: "Let not your
heart be troubled." The disciples tried to
understand what might happen to them
should the Master leave them. To bring
hope, cheer, comfort, and an undying faith
into their lives, He promised that He would
come again. How sweet the words sounded,
"And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again." This promise not only
belonged to the disciples then, it is a real
inspiration to God's people today who are
looking forward to His appearing. God's
promises will not fail. The coming of Jesus
is mentioned more than fifteen hundred times
in His word, and more than three hundred
times in the New Testament. What an em-
phasis on His coming !
2.
What two points does Paul stress
in assuring us of the second coming
of Christ? Heb. 9:27, 28.
NOTE.—The first advent of Christ makes
the second advent necessary. If the second
coming of the Lord did not take place, His
first appearing would be of no avail. Paul
wrote: "So Christ was once offered to bear
the sins of many." This is a historical fact;
He was here; He was the offering that was
made in our behalf for our sins. Therefore
Paul continues: "And unto them that look
for Him shall He appear the second time."
The Doctrine in the Old and
New Testaments
3.
What testimonies are given by
Old Testament characters regarding
the coming of the Lord? Jude 14, 15;
Job 19:25, 26; Ps. 50:3; Isa. 40:10.
4.
How did the Gospel writers re-
gard the Saviour's great prophecy of
His return? Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:26,
27; Luke 21:27.
5.
What experience is mentioned
by Peter that lifts the doctrine of
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